Ice-making apparatus and refrigerator

ABSTRACT

An ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator are provided. The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making tray, a temperature sensor, a controller, and a vibration apparatus. The temperature sensor is disposed on the ice-making tray and is coupled to the controller. The temperature sensor is adapted to detect a temperature on the ice-making tray and output a temperature signal to the controller. The controller is coupled to the temperature sensor and the vibration apparatus, and is adapted to receive the temperature signal to obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray and generate a start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and is adapted to start vibrating when receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. The foregoing solution can reduce bubbles in water in the ice-making tray and reduce broken ice cubes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Chinesepatent application CN 201611240384.X, filed Dec. 29, 2016; the priorapplication is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration, and inparticular, to an ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator.

With the improvement of living standards, refrigerators have enteredthousands of households. An ice-making machine is usually disposed in arefrigerator. Water flows into an ice-making tray through a water inlet.By using cold air provided by refrigeration and air duct systems in therefrigerator, the water in the ice-making tray is frozen into an icecube. Finally, the ice-making tray is twisted by turnover of a turnovermotor, so that the ice cube is removed out from the ice-making tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making apparatusof which ice making efficiency and/or quality can be improved.

Hence, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ice-makingapparatus, containing an ice-making tray, a controller, and a vibrationapparatus. The ice-making tray is adapted to carry water used for makingice. The controller is coupled to the vibration apparatus, and isadapted to generate a start instruction and send the start instructionto the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to theice-making tray and is adapted to start vibration when receiving thestart instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate.

Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be disposed under the ice-makingtray.

Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be in contact with a bottomsurface of the ice-making tray.

Optionally, in a vertical direction, a center of gravity of theice-making tray may be projected to the vibration apparatus.

Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be connected to a side wall ofthe ice-making tray.

Optionally, there may be at least two vibration apparatuses, where atleast one is disposed under the ice-making tray, and other vibrationapparatuses are connected to a side wall of the ice-making tray.

Optionally, the vibration apparatus may include any one of thefollowing: an eccentric motor, an electromagnetic vibrator, an infraredvibrator, or a piston impact type vibrator.

Optionally, the ice-making tray may comprise a plurality of cavities forcarrying water the vibration apparatus is disposed between neighboringcavities.

Optionally, the ice making apparatus may comprise a temperature sensordisposed coupled to the controller, for detecting temperature on theice-making tray and outputting a temperature signal to the controller,the controller is configured to receive the temperature signal to obtainthe temperature on the ice making tray to generate the startinstruction.

Optionally, the controller is adapted to determine the temperature onthe ice-making tray according to the temperature signal, and generatethe start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibrationapparatus when determining that the temperature on the ice-making trayis a preset first temperature value.

Optionally, the controller is further adapted to send a stop instructionto the vibration apparatus when determining, according to the inputtemperature signal, that the temperature on the ice-making tray reachesa second temperature value and the vibration apparatus is furtheradapted to stop vibration when receiving the stop instruction, where thefirst temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.

Optionally, the ice-making apparatus further includes a turnover motor,coupled to the controller and the ice-making tray. The controller isadapted to send a turnover instruction to the turnover motor whendetermining, according to the input temperature signal, that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches a third temperature value.The turnover motor is coupled to the ice-making tray and is adapted torotate to drive the ice-making tray to turn over when receiving theturnover instruction, where the second temperature value is greater thanthe third temperature value.

Optionally, a motor rotor of the turnover motor is connected to an outersurface of a side wall of the ice-making tray.

Optionally, the controller is further adapted to send a stop instructionto the vibration apparatus after a preset duration after sending thestart instruction to the vibration apparatus, and the vibrationapparatus is further adapted to stop vibration when receiving the stopinstruction.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a refrigerator,including any one of the ice-making apparatuses described above, wherethe ice-making apparatus is disposed in a freezing compartment of therefrigerator or on an inner wall of a door of the refrigerator.

Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodimentsof the present invention have the following described beneficialeffects: We found that water is mingled with air to form bubbles in aprocess in which the water flows into the ice-making tray through thewater inlet. In a process of freezing the water in the ice-making tray,an outer surface first gets in contact with cold air and is firstfrozen, bubbles inside the water are sealed in the ice to form vacuoles,affecting transparency of the ice. In addition, in a process of twistingthe ice-making tray by using the turnover motor, to pour out the icecube, the ice cube mingled with bubbles easily breaks into pieces.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vibrationapparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and starts vibration whenreceiving a start instruction from the controller to drive theice-making tray to vibrate. When the water in the ice-making trayvibrates, bubbles melted therein are released from the water, therebyreducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray and reducing brokenice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-making tray has flowability,which may accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby acceleratingan icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray and reducing an icingtime.

Further, the stop instruction is sent to the vibration apparatus afterthe preset duration after the start instruction is sent to the vibrationapparatus. The vibration apparatus stops vibration when receiving thestop instruction to reduce power consumption of the ice-makingapparatus.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an existing ice-makingmachine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an ice-making apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of an ice-making apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ice-making apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a work flowchart of an ice-making apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an existing ice-making machine of a refrigerator, water flows into anice-making tray through a water inlet. By using cold air provided byrefrigeration and an air duct systems in the refrigerator, the water inthe ice-making tray is frozen into an ice cube. Finally, the ice-makingtray is twisted by turnover of a turnover motor, so that the ice cube isreleased from the ice-making tray. Inevitably, water is mingled with airto form bubbles in a process in which the water flows into theice-making tray through the water inlet. In a process of freezing thewater in the ice-making tray, an outer surface first gets in contactwith cold air and is first frozen, bubbles inside the water are sealedin the ice to form vacuoles, affecting transparency of the ice. Inaddition, in a process of twisting the ice-making tray by using theturnover motor, to pour out the ice cube, the ice cube mingled withbubbles easily breaks into pieces.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a schematic structuraldiagram of an existing ice-making machine is provided. In FIG. 1, anice-making machine 1 may be disposed in a freezing compartment of arefrigerator. The ice-making machine 1 includes an ice-making tray 3. Inan ice-making process, water flows into the ice-making tray 3 through awater inlet 2, and the water in the ice-making tray 3 is mingled withbubbles formed by air.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a controller generates astart instruction and sends the start instruction to a vibrationapparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making trayand starts vibration when receiving the start instruction to drive theice-making tray to vibrate. When the water in the ice-making trayvibrates, bubbles melted therein are released from the water, therebyreducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray and reducing brokenice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-making tray has flow ability,which may accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby acceleratingan icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray and reducing an icingtime.

To make the objectives, features, and beneficial effects of the presentinvention more comprehensible, the following describes in detail thespecific embodiments of the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, an embodiment of the present invention providesan ice-making apparatus 100, including an ice-making tray 11, acontroller 16, and a vibration apparatus 14.

When the ice-making apparatus performs ice making, the ice-making tray11 carries water for making ice. The ice-making tray 11 may include aplurality of cavity portions 13 for carrying water. The water can besupplied to the ice-making tray 11 by a water inlet controlled by avalve 21. The valve 21 can be coupled to the controller 16.

During actual application, the ice-making apparatus 100 may be anice-making machine in a refrigerator. When there is a need for makingice, the water may be supplied into the ice-making tray 11 through awater inlet. Cold air is provided by refrigeration and air duct systemsin the refrigerator during ice making. The water in the ice-making tray11 freezes under the effect of the cold air and is finally frozen intoan ice cube.

The ice-making apparatus 100 includes a mounting frame 17 for supportingthe ice-making tray 11. The mounting frame 17 can be fixed to acompartment or a door of a refrigerator.

The ice-making apparatus 100 includes a turnover motor 19 for turningover the ice-making tray 11 such that ice on the ice-making tray 11 canbe removed from the ice-making tray 11.

The turnover motor 19 is coupled to an end of the ice-making tray 11. Amotor housing 18 in which the turnover motor 19 is accommodated isdisposed adjacent to the end of the ice-making tray 11.

The ice-making apparatus may include a temperature sensor 12 fordetecting temperature on the ice-making tray 11.

The temperature sensor 12 may be attached to the ice-making tray 11 toobtain temperature on the ice-making tray 11.

The temperature sensor 12 may be disposed under the ice-making tray 11.The temperature sensor 12 can be arranged along at least one cavityportion 13. For example, the temperature sensor 12 may be attached ontoa side wall of the cavity portion 13. The temperature sensor 12 mayalternatively be disposed along a bottom wall of the cavity portion 13.

The ice-making tray 11 can be made of a material with thermalconductivity. For example, the material of the ice-making tray 11 isplastic. Therefore, temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 12may be very close to the temperature in the ice-making tray 11 even whenthe temperature sensor 12 is attached onto an exterior side of thecavity portion 13.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 12 may detect the temperatureon the ice-making tray 11 in real time, and generates a temperaturesignal and outputs the temperature signal to the controller 16 in realtime. The controller may learn the temperature on the ice-making tray 11in real time after receiving the temperature signal.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 12 may be coupled to thecontroller 16, so as to communicate with the controller 16. For example,the temperature sensor 12 is electrically connected to the controller 16by using a communications cable, so as to communicate with thecontroller 16. For another example, the temperature sensor 12 includes awireless communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16includes a matched wireless communications unit. The temperature sensor12 is coupled to the controller 16 by using a wireless network and thetemperature sensor 12 communicates with the controller 16 by using thewireless communications unit.

When the temperature sensor 12 is coupled to the controller 16 by usingthe wireless network, the wireless communications unit in thetemperature sensor 12 may be a Bluetooth communications unit.Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched Bluetoothcommunications unit. The temperature sensor 12 communicates with thecontroller 16 by using a Bluetooth network. The wireless communicationsunit in the temperature sensor 12 may alternatively be a WIFIcommunications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes amatched WIFI communications unit. The temperature sensor 12 communicateswith the controller 16 by using a WIFI network.

It may be understood that, the temperature sensor 12 may alternativelybe coupled to the controller 16 by other coupling methods, as long asthe temperature sensor 12 can communicate with the controller 16.Specific coupling methods are not described herein.

The controller 16 is coupled to the vibration apparatus 14. Thecontroller 16 may obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray 11according to the received temperature signal after receiving thetemperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12. The controller16 may generate a start instruction and send the start instruction tothe vibration apparatus 14 according to the temperature on theice-making tray 11.

In an alternative embodiment, the start instruction can be generatedbased on a signal from the valve 21 for controlling a water inlet. Ifafter a predetermined time period is lapsed since the valve 21 opens awater inlet to supply water to the ice-making tray 11, the controller 16generates the start instruction such that the vibration apparatus 14 isactivated.

During specific implementation, there may be one or more temperaturesensors 12, and the number of the temperature sensors 12 may be setaccording to an actual application scenario. When there is onetemperature sensor 12, a temperature value corresponding to thetemperature signal obtained by the controller 16 is the temperature onthe ice-making tray 11. When there is a plurality of temperature sensors12, the controller 16 may average temperature values respectivelycorresponding to the obtained plurality of temperature signals, and usean average temperature as the temperature on the ice-making tray 11.

The vibration apparatus 14 may be electrically connected to thecontroller 16 by using a communications cable, so as to communicate withthe controller 16. The vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively becoupled to the controller 16 by using a wireless network. For example,the vibration apparatus 14 includes a wireless communications unit, andthe controller 16 includes a matched wireless communications unit. Then,the vibration apparatus 14 is coupled to the controller 16 by using awireless communications network.

When the vibration apparatus 14 is coupled to the controller 16 by usingthe wireless network, the wireless communications unit in the vibrationapparatus 14 may be a Bluetooth communications unit. Correspondingly,the controller 16 includes a matched Bluetooth communications unit. Thevibration apparatus 14 communicates with the controller 16 by using aBluetooth network. The wireless communications unit in the vibrationapparatus 14 may alternatively be a WIFI communications unit.Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched WIFIcommunications unit. The vibration apparatus 14 communicates with thecontroller 16 by using a WIFI network.

It may be understood that, during actual application, the vibrationapparatus 14 may be alternatively coupled to the controller 16 by othercoupling methods, as long as the vibration apparatus 14 can communicatewith the controller 16. Specific coupling methods are not describedherein.

During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 is connectedto the ice-making tray 11. The vibration apparatus 14 starts vibrationwhen receiving the start instruction. The vibration apparatus 14 isconnected to the ice-making tray 11. Therefore, when the vibrationapparatus 14 vibrates, the vibration apparatus 14 drives the ice-makingtray 11 to correspondingly vibrate. When the ice-making tray 11vibrates, the water in the ice-making tray 11 correspondingly vibrates.When the water in the ice-making tray 11 vibrates, bubbles melted in thewater are released and discharged, thereby reducing bubbles in the waterin the ice-making tray. In an ice-making process, the bubbles in thewater in the ice-making tray 11 are released and discharged, so that thecontent of the bubbles in an ice cube frozen by the water in theice-making tray 11 is greatly reduced, thereby reducing broken icecubes.

In addition, when the vibration apparatus 14 drives the ice-making tray11 to vibrate, the water in the ice-making tray has flow ability. At themoment, in a process of vibration, thermal conductivity of the water inthe ice-making tray 11 increases, so as to accelerate a cooling speed ofthe water, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in theice-making tray 11 and reducing an icing time.

During specific implementation, there may be one or more vibrationapparatuses 14, and the number of the vibration apparatuses 14 may beset according to the actual application scenario and user needs.

When there is one vibration apparatus 14, the vibration apparatus 14 maybe disposed below the ice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with anouter surface of a bottom surface of the ice-making tray 11. Thevibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be disposed on an outer surfaceof a side wall of the ice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with theouter surface of the side wall of the ice-making tray 11. The vibrationapparatus 14 and the ice-making tray 11 may have other locationrelationships as long as the vibration apparatus 14 can drive theice-making tray 11 to vibrate in the process of vibration.

During actual application, it can be learned that that the ice-makingtray 11 may include a plurality of ice cube trays. When the vibrationapparatus 14 is disposed below the ice-making tray 11, to balancevibration forces applied to the ice cube trays in the ice-making tray11, the vibration apparatus 14 may be disposed at a projection place ofa center of gravity of the ice-making tray 11, that is, in a verticaldirection, the center of gravity of the ice-making tray 11 is projectedto the vibration apparatus 14.

In FIG. 2, there is one vibration apparatus 14, and the vibrationapparatus 14 is disposed at the center of gravity of the ice-making tray11. The temperature sensor 12 is disposed on an outer surface of a sidewall of one ice cube tray in the ice-making tray 11.

When there is a plurality of vibration apparatuses 14, at least one ofthe plurality of vibration apparatuses 14 may be disposed below theice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with the outer surface of thebottom surface of the ice-making tray 11. Other vibration apparatuses 14may be disposed on the outer surface of the side wall of the ice-makingtray 11.

During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 may be aneccentric motor. The eccentric motor starts to rotate when receiving thestart instruction. The eccentric motor vibrates in a process of rotationto drive the ice-making try 11 to vibrate, so that the water in theice-making tray 11 vibrates, releasing bubbles in the water in theice-making tray 11.

During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 mayalternatively be an electromagnetic vibrator, an infrared vibrator, or apiston impact type vibrator. It may be understood that the vibrationapparatus 14 may alternatively be an apparatus of another type, as longas the vibration apparatus 14 can drive the ice-making tray 11 tovibrate when receiving the start instruction.

The following describes a working principle and a flow of the ice-makingapparatus provided in the foregoing embodiments of the presentinvention.

During specific implementation, the controller 16 receives thetemperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12 to obtain thetemperature on the ice-making tray 11. The controller 16 may determinewhether the obtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches afirst temperature value after obtaining the temperature on theice-making tray 11. The controller 16 may generate the start instructionand send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 when theobtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches the firsttemperature value.

The first temperature value may be preset according to the actualapplication scenario. In an embodiment of the present invention, a valuerange of the first temperature value is set to 2° C. to −5° C.

It may be understood that when the controller 16 sends the startinstruction to the vibration apparatus 14, an ice layer has not beenformed on a surface of the water in the ice-making tray 11. If thevibration apparatus 14 does not start vibration until an ice layer isformed on the surface of the water in the ice-making tray 11, at themoment, bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 may not bereleased due to obstruction of the ice layer. Therefore, when the firsttemperature value is selected, the first temperature value may beselected as approximately 0° C.

For example, the first temperature value is set to 1° C. In anice-making process, with an increase in a duration for whichrefrigeration and air duct systems provide cold air, the temperature ofthe water in the ice-making tray 11 gradually decreases. The controller16 obtains, in real time, the temperature signal output by thetemperature sensor 12. When detecting that the temperature valuecorresponding to the temperature signal is 1° C., the controller 16generates the start instruction and sends the start instruction to thevibration apparatus 14. The vibration apparatus 14 starts vibrationafter receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray 11 tovibrate, so that the water in the ice-making tray 11 vibrates to releaseand discharge bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 in theprocess of vibration. During specific implementation, after sending thestart instruction to the vibration apparatus 14, the controller 16 mayfurther continue to obtain, in real time, the temperature signal outputby the temperature sensor 12 and determine whether the obtainedtemperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches a second temperaturevalue. The controller 16 may generate a stop instruction and send thestop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 when the obtainedtemperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches the second temperaturevalue. The vibration apparatus 14 stops vibration after receiving thestop instruction. After the vibration apparatus 14 stops vibration, theice-making tray 11 stops vibration, and correspondingly the water in theice-making tray 11 gradually stops vibration.

During actual application, it can be learned that in an ice-makingprocess, with a gradual increase in a duration for which therefrigeration and air duct systems provide cold air, the temperature ofthe water in the ice-making tray 11 gradually decreases.

Therefore, during specific implementation, when the second temperaturevalue is set, the second temperature value may be set to be less thanthe first temperature value. A value range of the second temperaturevalue may alternatively be set according to the actual applicationscenario. In an embodiment of the present invention, the value range ofthe second temperature value is set to 2° C. to −5° C., that is, atemperature value is selected from 2° C. to −5° C. as the secondtemperature value, and the selected second temperature value is lessthan the first temperature value.

For example, the first temperature value is set to 1° C. and the secondtemperature value is set to −2° C.

When the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 decreases from the firsttemperature value to the second temperature value, the vibrationapparatus 14 has vibrated for a duration. Within the duration, bubblesin the water in the ice-making tray 11 have almost been completelyreleased and discharged. Therefore, out of a need of saving energy, thecontroller 16 may generate the stop instruction and send the stopinstruction to the vibration apparatus 14 to control the vibrationapparatus 14 to stop vibration. During actual application, after settingof the first temperature value and the second temperature value iscompleted, a range of time needed for decrease of the temperature on theice-making tray 11 from the first temperature value to the secondtemperature value may be obtained. A preset duration may be setaccording to the range of time needed for the decrease of thetemperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the first temperature valueto the second temperature value. The controller 16 sends the stopinstruction to the vibration apparatus 14 after the preset durationafter sending the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14.

The preset duration may be set according to the range of time that isobtained by means of actual measurement and is needed for the decreaseof the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the first temperaturevalue to the second temperature value. For example, the firsttemperature value is 1° C. and the second temperature value is −2° C.,and the duration that is obtained by means of actual measurement and isneeded for the decrease of the temperature on the ice-making tray 11from the 1° C. to −2° C. is 40 minutes. Then, the preset duration is setto 40 minutes. After 40 minutes after sending the start instruction, thecontroller 16 sends the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14.

When the vibration apparatus 14 stops vibrating the water in theice-making tray 11 may not be completely frozen. Therefore, after thevibration apparatus 14 stops vibrating, the refrigeration and air ductsystems may continue to provide the cold air to completely freeze thewater in the ice-making tray 11. During specific implementation, it maybe set that when the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches athird temperature value, the water in the ice-making tray 11 isdetermined as completely frozen.

In an embodiment, the ice-making apparatus may further include aturnover motor 19. The turnover motor 19 is electrically connected tothe controller 16 and is mechanically connected to the ice-making tray11. The controller 16 may obtain the temperature in the ice-making tray11 according to the received temperature signal output by thetemperature sensor 12. When detecting that the temperature on theice-making tray 11 reaches the third temperature value, the controller16 may send a turnover instruction to the turnover motor 19. Afterreceiving the turnover instruction, the turnover motor 19 drives theice-making tray 11 to turn over, so that the ice cube in the ice-makingtray 11 is poured out.

During specific implementation, when the third temperature value is set,the third temperature value may be set to be less than the secondtemperature value. That is, after a duration after the controller 16controls the vibration apparatus 14 to stop vibration, the controller 16controls the turnover motor 19 to turn over, so that the ice cube in theice-making tray 11 is poured out.

For example, the second temperature value is set to −2° C. and the thirdtemperature value is set to −4° C.

During specific implementation, the turnover motor 19 may include amotor rotor 20. The motor rotor 20 may be connected to an outer surfaceof a side wall of the ice-making tray 11. The motor rotor 20 of theturnover motor 19 rotates when the turnover motor 19 receives theturnover instruction. The motor 20 rotor rotates to drive the ice-makingtray 11 to turn over.

The following describes a working flow of the ice-making apparatusprovided in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a work flowchart of an ice-making apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.Specific steps are described as follows.

Step S301: Obtain temperature on the ice-making tray.

During specific implementation, when the ice-making apparatus startsworking, a temperature sensor may detect the temperature on theice-making tray in real time, and outputs a temperature signal to acontroller 16 in real time. The controller 16 may obtain the temperatureon the ice-making tray in real time after receiving the temperaturesignal.

Step S302: Determine whether the temperature on the ice-making trayreaches a first temperature value.

During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches the first temperature value,step S303 is performed; when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray does not reach the first temperaturevalue, step S301 continues to be performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first temperature valueis set to 1° C.

Step S303: Send a start instruction to a vibration apparatus.

During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches the first temperature value,the controller 16 generates a start instruction and sends the startinstruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus startsvibration after receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-makingtray to vibrate, so that the water in the ice-making tray vibrates, torelease and discharge bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray.

Step S304: Determine whether the temperature in the ice-making trayreaches a second temperature value.

During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches the second temperature value,step S305 is performed; otherwise, when the controller 16 detects thatthe temperature in the ice-making tray does not reach the secondtemperature value, step S304 continues to be performed.

Step S305: Send a stop instruction to the vibration apparatus.

During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches the second temperature value,the controller 16 generates a stop instruction and sends the stopinstruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus stopsvibration after receiving the stop instruction.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the second temperaturevalue is less than the first temperature value. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the second temperature value is set to −2° C.

Step S306: Determine whether the temperature on the ice-making trayreaches a third temperature value.

During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature on the ice-making tray reaches the third temperature value,step S307 is performed; when the controller 16 detects that thetemperature in the ice-making tray does not reach the third temperaturevalue, step S306 continues to be performed.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the third temperature valueis set to be less than the second temperature value. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the third temperature value is set to −4° C.

Step S307: Send a turnover instruction to a turnover motor.

In an embodiment, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature onthe ice-making tray reaches the third temperature value, the controller16 may generate a turnover instruction and send the turnover instructionto the turnover motor. When the turnover motor 19 receives the turnoverinstruction, a motor rotor of the turnover motor 19 rotates to drive theice-making tray to turn over, so that an ice cube in the ice-making trayis removed.

During specific implementation, reference may be made to the foregoingembodiments and the ice-making apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 of thepresent invention for specific execution of step S301 to step S307, anddetails are not described herein.

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, the start instruction isgenerated based on the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 asillustrated in steps 301 and 302. However, the present invention shouldnot be limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment of an ice makingsystem, the start instruction can be generated if a predetermined timeperiod has been lapsed since the water inlet starts to supply water tothe ice-making tray 11 by opening the water valve 21 to activate thevibration apparatus 14. The stop instruction can be generated in thesame way as illustrated in steps 304, 305.

Therefore, the controller 16 generates the start instruction and sendsto the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus which is connectedto the ice-making tray and starts vibration when receiving the startinstruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. When the water inthe ice-making tray vibrates, bubbles melted therein are released fromthe water, thereby reducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making trayand reducing broken ice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-makingtray has flow ability, which may accelerate a cooling speed of thewater, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in theice-making tray and reducing an icing time.

During specific implementation, an embodiment of the present inventionfurther provide a refrigerator. The ice-making apparatus provided in theforegoing embodiments of the present invention is disposed in therefrigerator. The ice-making apparatus may be disposed in a freezingcompartment of the refrigerator or on an inner wall of a door of therefrigerator. The ice-making apparatus may alternatively be disposed atanother location of the refrigerator.

As disclosed above, the present invention is not limited herein. Anyperson of ordinary skill in the art may make any variation andmodification without departing from the spirit and principle of thepresent invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the presentinvention shall fall within the limited scope of claims.

1. An ice-making apparatus, comprising: an ice-making tray adapted forcarrying water for making ice; a controller; a vibration apparatus; saidcontroller being coupled to said vibration apparatus, said controllergenerating a start instruction and sends the start instruction to saidvibration apparatus; and said vibration apparatus is connected to saidice-making tray and is adapted to start vibrating after receiving thestart instruction to drive said ice-making tray to vibrate.
 2. Theice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibrationapparatus is disposed under said ice-making tray.
 3. The ice-makingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said vibration apparatus is incontact with a bottom surface of said ice-making tray.
 4. The ice-makingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein in a vertical direction, acenter of gravity of said ice-making tray is projected to said vibrationapparatus.
 5. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid vibration apparatus is connected to a side wall of said ice-makingtray.
 6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidvibration apparatus is one of at least two vibration apparatuses,wherein a first of said vibration apparatuses is disposed below saidice-making tray, and a second of said vibration apparatuses is connectedto a side wall of said ice-making tray.
 7. The ice-making apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said ice-making tray has a plurality ofcavities formed therein for carrying the water, said vibration apparatusis disposed between neighboring ones of said cavities.
 8. The ice-makingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration apparatuscontains at least one of the following: an eccentric motor, anelectromagnetic vibrator, an infrared vibrator, or a piston impact typevibrator.
 9. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller for detectinga temperature on said ice-making tray and outputting a temperaturesignal to said controller, said controller is configured to receive thetemperature signal to obtain the temperature of said ice-making tray andto generate the start instruction.
 10. The ice-making apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein said controller determines the temperatureon said ice-making tray according to the temperature signal, andgenerates the start instruction and sends the start instruction to saidvibration apparatus when determining that the temperature on saidice-making tray is a preset first temperature value.
 11. The ice-makingapparatus according to claim 10, wherein: said controller sends a stopinstruction to said vibration apparatus when determining, according tothe temperature signal, that the temperature on said ice-making trayreaches a second temperature value; said vibration apparatus stopsvibrating when receiving the stop instruction; and the preset firsttemperature value is greater than the second temperature value.
 12. Theice-making apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising aturnover motor coupled to said controller and said ice-making tray, saidcontroller is adapted to send a turnover instruction to said turnovermotor when determining, according to the temperature signal, that thetemperature on said ice-making tray reaches a third temperature value,said turnover motor is coupled to said ice-making tray and rotates todrive said ice-making tray to turn over when receiving the turnoverinstruction, wherein the second temperature value is greater than thethird temperature value.
 13. The ice-making apparatus according to claim12, wherein said turnover motor has a motor rotor connected to a sidewall of said ice-making tray.
 14. The ice-making apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein: said controller sends the stop instruction to saidvibration apparatus after a preset duration after sending the startinstruction to said vibration apparatus; and said vibration apparatusstops vibrating upon receiving the stop instruction.
 15. A refrigerator,comprising: a freezer compartment; a door having an inner wall; and anice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ice-makingapparatus is disposed in said freezing compartment on said inner wall ofsaid door.